Ride with the devil

When local race organizer Lou Joline took over the popular Northland Delight bike tour this year, he said to himself, "Enough of this pussyfooting around. We need to tell people like it is." So, after a decade of cyclists gutting it out over hilly terrain in the sweltering July heat, the ride has been appropriately renamed the Northland Nightmare. For light cyclists, there's no need to lose sleep. The 25-mile course wanders out and back on the same road with little change in elevation. But the more hardcore athletes better catch some extra Z's. To complete the 50-, 62- and 100-mile loops, racers may need the Popsicles dispensed at the last support stop to sweeten their attitude as they muscle up the Northland's steepest inclines. The ride fee is $25, and registration begins at 6 a.m. today at Bennett Park (1130 Clayview Drive in Liberty). Rain or shine, the Nightmare commences at 7 a.m.
Sun., July 6, 6 a.m., 2008